Saline County Update
JPs make no decision on smoking ban: County residents speak out during court session
June 21, 2006
Jillian McGehee
Jillian McGehee
Smoke ’em if you have ’em. For now, anyway.
Saline County justices of the peace on Tuesday night tabled a proposed county tobacco ban after hearing considerable opposition from county residents.
Barbara Wheetley of East End stood and waved a small U.S. flag when it was time for the Quorum Court to discuss the proposed tobacco ordinance. She and numerous other people addressed the court, saying that such a policy would violate their freedom to choose.
“Amen” and “Hallelujah” were shouted as people spoke.
The ordinance would prohibit the use of all tobacco products in or on county-owned buildings, vehicles, grounds, lawns, shelters, parking lots, steps or any other property owned or leased by the county.
Employees would have to refrain from smoking throughout the workday or leave county property to smoke. Violators of the policy would face a fine of at least $10 and no more than $25.
County officials have said that the ordinance would supplement the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006 that will take effect July 21. But the countywide ban takes the statewide measure to another level by not allowing people to smoke outside.
County resident George Whatley said the outside air belongs to everybody and that he doesn’t think it is right for the county to exclude smokers.
“I guess y’all own the air, too,” he told JPs. “This is America; live and let live.”
He noted that outside air also is polluted, and that people are affected by emissions from motorcycles, cars and trucks.
Tonda Williams of Haskell shared Whatley’s sentiments, noting that business owners can determine if people smoke in their establishments but that the Quorum Court should not govern property owned by taxpayers. “Outside, there is plenty of air,” she said.
Wheetley asked JPs to tell her the meaning of the U.S. flag. “I don’t know what it means anymore,” she said.
She challenged JPs to concern themselves with “reconstructing values in the American home” and taking care of welfare.
Taking freedoms away is a “terrible mistake,” she said.
Heather Scroggins of Benton said she always has been proud to tell anyone she is from Saline County “until now.”
She said there are laws in place dictating where smokers can smoke.
“As a smoker, the worst thing would be seeing my children smoking,” Scroggins said. “I tell them to make the right choice.”
Scroggins also noted that many Saline County sheriff’s deputies smoke.
“The last thing I want them to do is have to step away 30 feet and smoke when we need them catching rapists and protecting us,” she said.
James Mashburn of East End, a nonsmoker, suggested designating a smoking area on county property. “I don’t smoke, but I don’t knock anybody who does,” he said.
Referring to the deputies, Mashburn said that “as long as they don’t smoke with prisoners in the car,” they should be allowed to smoke.
He added: “Don’t take away the people’s rights.”
JP Mike Kemp of Shannon Hills, who has said he has reservations about the ordinance, suggested that the Quorum Court make modifications to the ordinance. “This is too much of a shotgun approach,” he said.
JP Owen Bullock of Benton said he feels the need “to have a place” for smokers to smoke.
Following the comments, JP Doug Curtis of Benton moved to table the ordinance for further consideration. JPs approved the motion.
In other business, JPs approved the following:
€The third reading of an ordinance for eminent domain parameters for Saline County, conceding the power to regulate eminent domain to protect the property owners and taxpayers of the county.
€The appointment of Caroline E. Miller Robinson of Bryant to the Saline County Public Library Board.
€The re-appointment of Randy Ives to the Saline County Planning Board.
€An ordinance appropriating $40,000 for maintenance of the Saline County Complex roof.
€An ordinance appropriating $34,070 for replacing the courthouse roof.
JPs also tabled an ordinance changing the county’s policy of paying money in lieu of accepting county health benefits. The ordinance would call for all employees hired after July 1 not to be paid money in lieu of accepting health benefits.
Saline County to Consider Stricter Smoking Ban
June 11, 2006
BENTON- Saline County officials later this month will consider a smoking ban stricter than a new state law that will go into effect in July.
The county ordinance, if approved, would ban tobacco use on or inside Saline County property and vehicles. Justices of the peace will consider the measure at their June 20th meeting.
County Judge Lanny Fite says people often complain about walking through clouds of smoke when they visit the county courthouse. The proposed ordinance prohibits the use of any tobacco product, including smokeless tobacco, on county property.
Under the proposal, Saline County employees who smoke would either have to not smoke during the workday or leave county property to smoke.
